Dow in Michigan - Honoring Herbert “Ted” Doan

Honoring Herbert “Ted” Doan

Andrew N. Liveris, Chairman and CEO of The Dow Chemical Company, and Junia Doan, wife of Herbert D. "Ted" Doan, stand alongside a bronze plaque of Mr. Doan. The plaque was created by Midland artist, James Ardis, and will be on permanent display at Dow's Analytical Sciences Building at Michigan Operations.

Dow paid special homage to a former CEO who passed away in 2006 by rededicating the Midland R&D campus in his honor. The newly christened Herbert D. "Ted" Doan Research & Development Campus pays tribute to a leader and researcher credited with positioning Dow as a multinational company.

"Ted's leadership not only put Dow on the global map, but also exemplifies the power of the Human Element at Dow," said Dow Chairman and CEO Andrew Liveris. "His vision transformed Dow from a regional entity into what has become the largest chemical company in the world, one that leads the way on several levels, from community commitment to breakthrough innovation. Ted, in fact, inspired innovation and the pursuit of the next big idea, so it is only fitting to honor him by permanently associating his name with a premier research and development campus at Dow."

Beyond his role in the corporation, the community, region and state knew Doan as a great philanthropist. He was chair of the Herbert H. and Grace A. Dow Foundation, chair of the Michigan Molecular Institute, co-chair of the governor’s Venture Capital Task Force, president of the Michigan High Technology Task Force, chair of the National Science Board, and advisory board member of the University of Michigan’s College of Engineering. Doan focused a significant amount of his philanthropy on improving science education at K-12 and university levels. He was also active in recruiting high-technology companies to Michigan.

A bronze plaque of Doan is on permanent display at Michigan Operations' 1897 Building, a key R&D hub. Doan, who was president and CEO from 1962 to 1971, was the grandson of Herbert H. Dow and the last Dow family member to serve as chief executive.